Formation of the Plebescite Front

Following the overthrow of Sheikh Abdullah, his lieutenant Mirza Afzal
Beg formed the Plebiscite Front on 9 August 1955 to fight for the plebiscite
demand and the unconditional release of Sheikh Abdullah who had been arrested
after his removal. The activities of the Plebiscite Front eventually led to the institution of the Kashmir Conspiracy Case in 1958 and two other cases. The release of Sheikh Abdullah following
the withdrawal of the Kashmir Conspiracy Case in 1964 gave a new impetus
to the party and Sheikh Abdullah and Mirza Afzal Beg launched an offensive approach
by instigating the people against India. They also carried out anti- India
propaganda abroad which led to their fresh detention in May 1965. This
led to the decline in the activities of the Plebiscite Front. However,
with the release of Sheikh Abdullah in January 1968, the Plebiscite Front
revived its activities and began to spread its influence throughout the
valley with Sheikh Abdullah reverting to open attacks against India, besides
challenging the finality of the accession.